H110 light show?

[Chainsaw.]

First time dealing with h110. Loaded over a mag primer and under 180 and 200 grain xtps, minimum load. BIG boom and a big fireball. Is this normal with h110? Im used to 4227which has no flash.

[NoSecondBest]

Yes, it is. All powders don't burn the same obviously. H110 andWW296 (same powders) are ball powders designed for magnum loads. They're not appropriate for all purposes. You simply can't compare them to other powders with widely different characteristics and purposes.

[Yosemite Steve]

I love me some muzzle flash! Mine is a 44 mag. What are you shooting? The thing with H110 is that the minimum load still means business. I have shot max through my model 29 but it's hard on things. I love the recoil, flash and kaboom of H110. Shock and awe!

[Northof50]

110 and 296 are not the same powder. In my experience, 296 performs much better in the 357 than 110 and 110 does much better in the 44 than 296

[Northof50]

Steve, I've gotten better than 1500fps from a 240gr XTP from my Redhawk with H110. I don't even try anything else when loading hunting rounds for the 44. 110 is also very accurate in my Glock20, but the velocity isn't there - not enough room in the case. But, I've gotten 1" groups @ 25yrds with 180 plated [10mm].

[BBarn]

Yes, H110/W296 are flashy. So is 2400. IMR4227 isn't.

At one time H110 and W296 might have been different powders. But for a number of years now Hodgdon, who bottles and markets both H110 and W296, has published identical loading data for the two powders. Same maximum charge. Same published velocity. Same published pressure. Beyond the label, it's hard to argue that they are somehow different. I'm convinced that apparent differences cited by various sources relate to batch variations and the numerous other variables that exist.

[Northof50]

Barn - I can only go by the data I've collected from personal experience for the past 30 years. I love both powders, but do not get the same velocities, nor accuracy from them. Loading weight is hardly a determination of component make-up.

Yes. No doubt, for all intent, when it comes to loading, your weights may be similar - and who knows, the recipes to make the powder may be similar. But, in the end, we all have our own experiences. I rely on my chronograph and targets to determine.

FYI - not that it makes that much difference anyway :-)

[GeauxTide]

With the lighter bullets, Blue Dot might be useful. W296 and H110 are, in fact, the same powder that is produced by Hodgdon. Also, if you go to Hodgdon's site, to their reload data page. Select a magnum handgun caliber. select bullets and check box for both H110 and W296. The powder charges and velocity, pressures will show tit for tat.

[Yosemite Steve]

110 is also very accurate in my Glock20, but the velocity isn't there - not enough room in the case. But, I've gotten 1" groups @ 25yrds with 180 plated [10mm].

I can find no data. Not that I am one to follow the rules...

[Northof50]

14.8gr 110
180 Speer GD

A = 1025fps
Low = 1002fps
High = 1039fps
SD = 13

Group @ 25yrs = 1.1"

Date: 2/1/2001
Outside temp: 20 degrees [I was a die-hard back then. Thermos of coffee, empty range, awesome. Hey wait...just had that yesterday sans the chronograph...Some things never change.]

[Chainsaw.]

Rodger that guys. Juuuust making sure.

For the record I'm using it in 44 mag, might try it in .357 to replace lil'gun given its reputation for barrel eating etc.

[T. O'Heir]

"...BIG boom and a big fireball..." How long's the barrel? And H110 doesn't require magnum primers.
"...reputation for barrel eating etc..." Said reputations are usually highly exaggerated. H110 Max velocities are a wee bit faster than Lil'Gun, but any powder can cut steel.
"...Not that I am one to follow the rules..." A very good way to blow up your firearms and damage yourself.

[m&p45acp10+1]

For less flash, and loud boom I use AA#9. It gives top end performance near to the top end of H110/Win296. While being able to be down loaded to be used with lead, and middle of the road loads. I like it better than 4227, or 2400 as it is cleaner than either at lower pressure. While being less flash at the top end. Also it does not require magnum primers.

[NoSecondBest]

110 and 296 are not the same powder. In my experience, 296 performs much better in the 357 than 110 and 110 does much better in the 44 than 296

Per a direct inquiry to Hodgdon, they are the same powder. Ask them yourself.

[m&p45acp10+1]

While H110 and Winchester 296 may not be the exact same powder. In the fact that I would not mix from a can of one into another. I would not be afraid to interchange the data from one to another. They meter the same as far as volume goes. If I was looking for data for H110, and only Win296 was listed I would not be afraid to work up a load from the starting load listed. I would not advise reducing either below the listed starting loads. I have used both in several calibers. (.30 Carbine, .357 Mag, .41 Rem Mag., .44 Rem Mag..) If I put a box of each loaded with the same charge in any of those calibers. I doubt anyone would be able to tell one from the other without using a chronograph.

[Yosemite Steve]

110 tastes better than 296. A bit more woody and with a hint of ether. It's good on pork.

[Yosemite Steve]

T. O'heir, if I always followed rules I wouldn't know why I was following them. I still have most of all my fingers.

[Northof50]

If everyone always followed all the rules...we wouldn't have either the 357 or 44 magnum...or any other cartridge for that matter. I'm certain Elmer Keith or Dan Wesson are rolling over at this point.

[Northof50]

Steve - 110 is roasted a bit more - hence the woodier taste :-)

[Nick_C_S]

For the record I'm using it in 44 mag

Glad you specified that; as 180's and 200's are common bullet weights in both 44Spl/Mag and 10mm Auto.

A lot of ground has already been covered here - including the culinary nuances of W296 & H-110 . W296 really does smell wonderful out at the range. It's the best.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that sometimes - particularly with slower propellants - is that they can get less flashy if you turn up the charge. I know it's counter-intuitive and it's not a sure thing. And of course you need to do your own work ups; and find your own experience. But it is a phenomenon worth mentioning here.

I'm also curious what your 44 Mag's barrel length is.

[Yosemite Steve]

Nick is right. I made a batch to test H110 for my 44 (8-3/8" barrel) and did not have the patience to wait until the next day to check the loads so I jumped in my truck and headed up in the hills to shoot em off in the dark. Approaching max load the flash simmered down. Good times! No flat primers but it sure kicked. That is the only gun that my old Speer manual gives heavier loads than the rest of the manuals.

The 454 Casul... now there's a flash!

[Northof50]

Steve - if you want some flash, try a 375JDJ out of a magna-ported barrel. It's a 444 marlin case necked down to 375. Shot out a 14" Contender. Quite a show at dust...with the flames shooting out of the ports.

[Pathfinder45]

Muzzle flash....umm, yeah, some of us have gotten over that and would rather not have it. Even though some of us had fun with it for a while, I now regard it as undesirable. Therefore, I prefer IMR-4227 over H-110; and AA-9 over 2400. In fact, I'm done with H-110/W-296 for that reason, as well as the fact that it's got a very narrow range from starting loads to maximum loads. And, in my 45 Colt Vaquero, I got hangfires using it with WLP primers, while simply changing to CCI-350 magnum primers corrected that problem. No doubt it's a good powder when used within its sweet-spot, which is quite a bit hotter than I want to go in 45 Colt. It's better suited to the higher pressures of the 44 and 357 magnums. At maximum loads in a carbine or rifle it really shines.

[Dufus]

H110/WW296 is not a good powder for use in 45 Colt shot in a Vaquero without or without magnum primers.

[Chainsaw.]

Nick CS. Thats certainly interesting and definitely counterintuitive about amount of powder vs flash. Made worse because I dont want to turn it up anymore, namely for recoils sake. Even at my young...ish age arthritis is kicking in to the point I only want to shoot power house mags occasionally.

Gun is a 629-5 with a 5" barrel. My favorite handgun.